How to prune boat orchid

After the last flower fades, usually late winter to spring. Cut the spent flower spike flush with the plant base using sterilised bypass secateurs. Remove shrivelled, leafless back-bulbs by severing at the rhizome with a clean blade. Sterilise tools between cuts and dust significant wounds with cinnamon.

Annually after flowering; back-bulb removal every 3–4 years as needed. Cymbidiums do need pruning after flowering. They never rebloom from the same spike, so cut spent spikes to the base once the last flower fades. Very old leafless pseudobulbs (shrunken, three or more seasons old) can be removed or detached for propagation. Healthy green pseudobulbs should always be left in place.

Cut the spent flower spike flush with the plant base using sterilised bypass secateurs. Remove shrivelled, leafless back-bulbs by severing at the rhizome with a clean blade. Sterilise tools between cuts and dust significant wounds with cinnamon.